India

New Delhi, August 9: The Ministry of Defence is investigating the possibility that crucial and expensive equipment bought from the US includes defective Chinese parts. Defence Minister A K Antony today told the Rajya Sabha that the"Government is verifying reports" about this. A US Senate investigation has concluded that between 2009 and 2010, 1800 incidents were detected in which more than a

New Delhi, August 8: In an unprecedented scene in the Lok Sabha, an angry Sonia Gandhi goaded Congress MPs to shout slogans after BJP leader LK Advani called UPA II illegitimate and accused the government of indulging in horsetrading to win votes in the House. Soon after, Congress leaders broke into an uproar in the house, protesting against Adavni's statement even as Sonia was seen making

New Delhi, August 8: As the month-long monsoon session of Parliament got underway on Tuesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the government is prepared to discuss any issue in accordance with rules and hoped the opposition would cooperate in tackling legislative business before the two Houses. “Our government is prepared to discuss any issue in accordance with the rules and procedure,” he told

New Delhi, August 8: The INS Arihant, India's indigenously-built nuclear-powered submarine which is capable of carrying nuclear missiles "will be going for sea-trials soon," Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma told reporters today in New Delhi. The submarine is now the in last stage of testing. Sources have told NDTV that barring any major set-backs, the INS Arihant should be able join the

New Delhi, August 8: In what could turn out to be its calling card for the 2014 general elections, the government is finalizing a Rs 7,000 crore scheme to give one mobile phone to every family living below the poverty line. Sources in the PMO said the scheme—Har Hath Mein Phone—expected to be announced by PM Manmohan Singh on August 15, will not only aim to give away mobiles to around six million

New Delhi, August 7: UPA's Hamid Ansari has been elected for a second term as the Vice-President of India on Tuesday. Ansari, who got 490 votes, defeated NDA's Jaswant Singh by a margin of 252 votes. As many as 600 electors from an effective electoral college of 787 members of Parliament had cast their vote by 1.00pm, Ansari's election agent and senior advocate Pravin Parekh said here. Prime

Chennai, August 7: The condition of Union Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, admitted to a private hospital here for liver-related ailment, is "critical," hospital sources said today. "His condition is critical. He is in the ICU. Doctors are attending on him," said an official in the Global Hospital at suburban Perumbakkam, where he was admitted after being brought to the city in

Guwahati, August 7: Four more persons fell victim to the fresh wave of violence in lower Assam districts, triggering protest by locals who blocked National Highway 31 at Beltoli on the Kokrajhar-Dhubri border on Tuesday. With four more people being killed, the death toll in the ethnic violence in Assam has climbed to 65. In the worst-affected Kokrajhar district, three persons were killed and two

New Delhi, August 7: Polling today began on a brisk note for the Vice Presidential election in which UPA candidate Hamid Ansari appears set to fend off the contest put up by NDA nominee Jaswant Singh. A total of 788 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs, including nominated members, are eligible to vote in the poll to elect the 14th Vice President. Ansari, who is seeking re-election, has the support of

Kokrajhar, August 7: The situation in Assam appears to be far from over. Reports coming in that three people have been killed and two injured after armed miscreants entered at Ranighuli village and fired. The armed men then disappeared. The incident happened at 11 pm after which police forces came and secured the area. Indefinite curfew continues in Chirang district and since this morning curfew